Seven Churches – Page 5 – Insights into Bible Prophecy

FELLOW-PARTICIPANT IN THE KINGDOM

December 12, 2019October 5, 2021 David R Maas

Exiled to the isle of Patmos, John was a “fellow-participant” in the tribulation and endurance with the churches of Asia – Revelation 1:9.

At the start of the first vision, Revelation introduces John, who was exiled to the isle of Patmos for the “testimony of Jesus.” Rather than point to his apostolic credentials, he identified himself with the plight of the “seven churches of Asia.” Although isolated on the small island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea, he was a “fellow-participant” with the “churches” in the “tribulation and endurance in Jesus.”

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Final Hour, Seven Churches

HOUR OF TRIAL

October 12, 2019October 10, 2021 David R Maas

The “hour of trial” will come upon the whole habitable earth, but overcoming saints will not experience this final judicial act – Revelation 3:10.

Jesus promised to “keep” the faithful church of Philadelphia “from the hour of trial” that was coming upon the “inhabitants of the earth.” A comparison with similar passages demonstrates this “hour of trial” refers to the time of final judgment when those whose names “are not written in the Lamb’s book of life” experience the “second death,” the “lake of fire that burns with brimstone.”

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Church, Seven Churches

The People of God in the Book of Revelation

October 5, 2019June 22, 2020 David R Maas

The book of Revelation applies numerous labels to God’s people, including “saints,” “elect,” “churches,” “priests,” “witnesses,” “seed of the woman,” “called,” “faithful” and “my people.” This group is composed of men and women “purchased” by Christ’s blood from every national and ethnic group; ethnicity, geography, and social status have no bearing on their membership in the covenant community.

The book in its entirety is addressed to the “seven churches of Asia” (1:4). The assemblies are identified as God’s “servants” (1:1) who have been “loosed from sin” by Jesus’ blood (1:5). They comprise a “kingdom, priests unto God” (1:6. Cp. Exodus 19:5-6, 1 Peter 2:5-9), and are identified by John as “brethren” (1:9) and fellow “participants in the tribulation, kingdom, and perseverance” in Jesus (1:9). Continue reading “The People of God in the Book of Revelation” →

Discipleship, Seven Churches

CALL TO ACTION

January 17, 2019October 12, 2021 David R Maas

Through a series of seven “beatitudes,” Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite hostility and persecution.

The Book of Revelation is not a tool of divination for peering into the future. Instead, it summons God’s people to vigilance, right living, and faithful witness, all while living in a hostile society. It is not so much about when certain events will occur, but instead, how churches must “overcome” in their present situations and, thus, arrive at the city of “New Jerusalem.”

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